What Are the 22 Cards in a Tarot Deck? (Major Arcana Explained)

A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, but the most powerful and meaningful ones are the 22 Major Arcana cards. These cards represent life lessons, spiritual growth, and major turning points in your journey.

If you’re new to tarot or using a pick a tarot card online tool, understanding these 22 cards is essential—they form the core of every deep reading.

What Are Major Arcana Cards?

The Major Arcana are the first 22 cards in a tarot deck, numbered from 0 to 21.

They symbolize:

• Important life events

• Spiritual lessons

• Karmic influences

• Major decisions and transformations

👉 When these cards appear in a reading, they indicate something significant.

List of All 22 Major Arcana Cards

Here are all 22 cards with simple meanings:

0. The Fool

Meaning: New beginnings, innocence, adventure

1. The Magician

Meaning: Manifestation, power, action

2. The High Priestess

Meaning: Intuition, mystery, inner wisdom

3. The Empress

Meaning: Growth, nurturing, abundance

4. The Emperor

Meaning: Authority, structure, control

5. The Hierophant

Meaning: Tradition, spirituality, guidance

6. The Lovers

Meaning: Love, choices, relationships

7. The Chariot

Meaning: Determination, victory, willpower

8. Strength

Meaning: Courage, patience, inner strength

9. The Hermit

Meaning: Self-reflection, solitude, wisdom

10. Wheel of Fortune

Meaning: Luck, cycles, change

11. Justice

Meaning: Truth, fairness, karma

12. The Hanged Man

Meaning: Letting go, perspective, surrender

13. Death

Meaning: Transformation, endings, rebirth

14. Temperance

Meaning: Balance, moderation, healing

15. The Devil

Meaning: Attachment, temptation, limitation

16. The Tower

Meaning: Sudden change, disruption, awakening

17. The Star

Meaning: Hope, healing, inspiration

18. The Moon

Meaning: Illusion, fear, subconscious

19. The Sun

Meaning: Success, joy, positivity

20. Judgement

Meaning: Awakening, renewal, realization

21. The World

Meaning: Completion, fulfillment, achievement

Why Are These 22 Cards Important?

The Major Arcana represent the “journey of life”, often called the Fool’s Journey—from innocence (The Fool) to completion (The World).

👉 They appear when:

• Big life decisions are coming

• Spiritual lessons are unfolding

• Major transformations are happening

Upright vs Reversed Meaning

Each card can appear:

• Upright → Positive or direct meaning

• Reversed → Blocked energy or internal struggle

Example:

• The Sun (upright) → Happiness

• The Sun (reversed) → Delays or low confidence

Want to Try Tarot Yourself?

You can explore these cards instantly:

👉 Pick a tarot card online:
https://arkahastro.com/tools/tarot

Features you can highlight:

• Free tarot card selection

• 3-card reading

• Yes/No tarot

• Card reversal meanings

Final Thoughts

The 22 Major Arcana cards are the heart of tarot reading. They don’t just predict events—they help you understand your journey, choices, and growth.

✨ Every card tells a story—and together, they tell yours.